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The parish church from a side street. Photo from Pexels.
A Cirencester weekend break covers the Market Place and parish church, the Roman finds in the Corinium Museum and a walk in Cirencester Park. With a second day, add Bibury or the Cotswold Water Park. Esho Stays has six homes in Cirencester, from £100 a night.
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What is there to see in Cirencester?
Cirencester’s main sights are close together. You can walk between all of them in a morning.
Market Place and the parish church
The Church of St John the Baptist is one of the largest parish churches in England, and its tower looks straight down the Market Place.
Corinium Museum
Cirencester was Corinium, one of the largest towns in Roman Britain. The museum on Park Street holds mosaics and finds from the town.
Cirencester Park
Parkland on the west of the town, open daily, with the Broad Ride running about 8 km to Sapperton. Day passes are sold for visitors.
Charter markets
The Market Place hosts a charter market every Monday and Friday, with stalls from morning until mid-afternoon.
Check entry and pass details on the Bathurst Estate website before you visit the park.
How should you spend two days in Cirencester?
Spend the first day in the town and the second just outside it.
| When | Day one | Day two |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Market Place, parish church, Corinium Museum | Bibury, 7 miles away |
| Lunch | A café or pub in the town centre | Bibury or back in Cirencester |
| Afternoon | Cirencester Park and the Broad Ride | Cotswold Water Park lakes, 4 miles south |
| Evening | Dinner in town, a short walk from your home | A night in with the kitchen |
Cirencester Market Place. Photo from Pexels.
What is near Cirencester for a day out?
Cirencester is the gateway to the south Cotswolds, with several day trips within 20 minutes.
| Day out | What to do | From Cirencester |
|---|---|---|
| Bibury | Arlington Row and the River Coln | 15 minutes |
| Cotswold Water Park | Lakes for walking, cycling and watersports | 10 minutes |
| Tetbury | Antique shops and a market hall | 20 minutes |
| Westonbirt Arboretum | Trees and trails, best in October | 20 to 25 minutes |
| Malmesbury | An abbey and a hilltop town | 20 to 25 minutes |
Drive times are approximate.
How do you get to Cirencester for a weekend?
Most visitors drive to Cirencester on the A417 or A419. Without a car, take the train to Kemble, about 4 miles away, and a taxi into town.
Kemble has direct trains to London Paddington in around 1 hour 10 minutes, and to Swindon. Once you arrive, everything in the town centre is walkable. Read our guide to the Cotswolds without a car for buses to Bibury and beyond.
Local tips from our Cirencester hosts
Visit the museum in the morningThe Corinium Museum is quieter before lunch. Winter hours are shorter, so check before you go.
Arrive on a FridayThe charter market fills the Market Place on Fridays, which makes a good start to a weekend.
Leave the car at homeOur homes are a short walk from the centre. Parking in the town on a Saturday is harder than walking.
Where to stay for a Cirencester weekend break
£120 / nightHistoric flat with walk-in shower, Cirencester
- 2 double bedrooms
- Walk-in shower
- Exposed brickwork
- Free on-street parking nearby
Two double bedrooms in a converted 18th-century building, near the Market Place and Abbey Grounds.
See the historic flat
£120 / night2-bed house with garden, Cirencester
- 2 bedrooms, king or twin
- Bath and walk-in shower
- Enclosed garden
- Self check-in
A house with an enclosed garden, a desk and a bath plus walk-in shower, a short walk from the town centre.
See the 2-bed housePlanning a wider trip? See our guide to a weekend away in the Cotswolds.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cirencester called the capital of the Cotswolds?
Cirencester is often called the capital of the Cotswolds because it is the largest town in the area, with a long history as a market and wool town. In Roman times it was Corinium, one of the largest towns in Britain. Its position at the meeting of several main roads helped it grow.
Is Cirencester worth visiting for a weekend?
Yes. Cirencester has enough for a full day on foot, including the Market Place, the parish church, the Corinium Museum and Cirencester Park. It is also a practical base for Bibury, Tetbury and the Water Park, and has more places to eat than the smaller villages.
Do you need a car in Cirencester?
Not in the town itself, as the centre is compact and walkable from our homes. A car helps for villages such as Bourton-on-the-Water or Castle Combe. Bibury and Northleach are on the Pulhams 855 bus route from Cirencester, so a car-free weekend is possible.
Do your Cirencester homes have parking?
Parking varies. The five-bedroom house has a drive for two to three vehicles, and the historic flat with a walk-in shower has free on-street parking nearby. For our other Cirencester homes, we confirm parking options when you enquire, so tell us if you are coming by car.
Next step
Planning a weekend in Cirencester?
Tell us your dates and who is coming, and we will match you to the right home in town.
